Autoweek E250 CDI 4Matic Test
08-27-2013, 11:32 PM
#2
Perfect. Can't wait to get behind the wheel sometime later next week.
"Despite all the gee-whiz gimcrackery going on, it doesn't feel as if it's attempting to be more than it is. We like a car that knows what it is and is confident with its place in the world. And the refreshed E — perhaps more than any other car in its segment — is exactly that."
"Despite all the gee-whiz gimcrackery going on, it doesn't feel as if it's attempting to be more than it is. We like a car that knows what it is and is confident with its place in the world. And the refreshed E — perhaps more than any other car in its segment — is exactly that."
08-27-2013, 11:55 PM
#3
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Warren, NJ
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
We haven't driven the diesel, but we did drive an E350 with Driver Assistance and Surroundview.
It is pretty slick. They have more capability and it is better thought out than Audi and BMW by a bit. In back to back driving tests, I would say the E350, both RWD and AWD, handles better than the BMW.
However, the user interface has gone from the best to the worst. 8-10 years ago MB's use of column stalks and the phone input pad put them a mile a head of BMW then hapless iDrive (which was the worst ever until Cadillac introduced 'CUE'). Now, a missing button for surround view, the lack of a touch pad, and generally weak menus on a fairly small, low resolution nav screen just don't seem up to snuff.
Still, it is a compelling car in its class, especially with the diesel, IMHO.
P.S. The foot operated trunk is also pretty cool.
It is pretty slick. They have more capability and it is better thought out than Audi and BMW by a bit. In back to back driving tests, I would say the E350, both RWD and AWD, handles better than the BMW.
However, the user interface has gone from the best to the worst. 8-10 years ago MB's use of column stalks and the phone input pad put them a mile a head of BMW then hapless iDrive (which was the worst ever until Cadillac introduced 'CUE'). Now, a missing button for surround view, the lack of a touch pad, and generally weak menus on a fairly small, low resolution nav screen just don't seem up to snuff.
Still, it is a compelling car in its class, especially with the diesel, IMHO.
P.S. The foot operated trunk is also pretty cool.
08-28-2013, 03:43 AM
#4
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
18 Posts
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Perfect. Can't wait to get behind the wheel sometime later next week.
"Despite all the gee-whiz gimcrackery going on, it doesn't feel as if it's attempting to be more than it is. We like a car that knows what it is and is confident with its place in the world. And the refreshed E — perhaps more than any other car in its segment — is exactly that."
"Despite all the gee-whiz gimcrackery going on, it doesn't feel as if it's attempting to be more than it is. We like a car that knows what it is and is confident with its place in the world. And the refreshed E — perhaps more than any other car in its segment — is exactly that."
08-28-2013, 10:28 AM
#5
We haven't driven the diesel, but we did drive an E350 with Driver Assistance and Surroundview.
It is pretty slick. They have more capability and it is better thought out than Audi and BMW by a bit. In back to back driving tests, I would say the E350, both RWD and AWD, handles better than the BMW.
However, the user interface has gone from the best to the worst. 8-10 years ago MB's use of column stalks and the phone input pad put them a mile a head of BMW then hapless iDrive (which was the worst ever until Cadillac introduced 'CUE'). Now, a missing button for surround view, the lack of a touch pad, and generally weak menus on a fairly small, low resolution nav screen just don't seem up to snuff.
Still, it is a compelling car in its class, especially with the diesel, IMHO.
P.S. The foot operated trunk is also pretty cool.
It is pretty slick. They have more capability and it is better thought out than Audi and BMW by a bit. In back to back driving tests, I would say the E350, both RWD and AWD, handles better than the BMW.
However, the user interface has gone from the best to the worst. 8-10 years ago MB's use of column stalks and the phone input pad put them a mile a head of BMW then hapless iDrive (which was the worst ever until Cadillac introduced 'CUE'). Now, a missing button for surround view, the lack of a touch pad, and generally weak menus on a fairly small, low resolution nav screen just don't seem up to snuff.
Still, it is a compelling car in its class, especially with the diesel, IMHO.
P.S. The foot operated trunk is also pretty cool.
i'm also disappointed with the COMAND system, but largely due to the screen size and the way it is framed to look bigger than it actually is. I have little use for those things anyway and will likely have the NAV turned off most of the time. i would have liked a sleek lcd screen like the competition has, but ultimately its not a deal breaker. i suspect the s-class dash design will find its way into the next iteration of the eclass.
08-28-2013, 11:12 AM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
i'm also disappointed with the COMAND system, but largely due to the screen size and the way it is framed to look bigger than it actually is. I have little use for those things anyway and will likely have the NAV turned off most of the time. i would have liked a sleek lcd screen like the competition has, but ultimately its not a deal breaker. i suspect the s-class dash design will find its way into the next iteration of the eclass.
The W213's nav will either look like that or the S-Class. Fingers crossed that it looks more like the S-Class instead of the A/B/C/CLA/GLA.
I dont know why I care.. without a E550 available for the W213 I wont be getting one anyway.
Trending Topics
08-28-2013, 12:09 PM
#8
I dont know... Have you seen the spy pics of the W205 interior?
The W213's nav will either look like that or the S-Class. Fingers crossed that it looks more like the S-Class instead of the A/B/C/CLA/GLA.
I dont know why I care.. without a E550 available for the W213 I wont be getting one anyway.
The W213's nav will either look like that or the S-Class. Fingers crossed that it looks more like the S-Class instead of the A/B/C/CLA/GLA.
I dont know why I care.. without a E550 available for the W213 I wont be getting one anyway.
without the 550 you'll have to get an amg. you'll be forced. lol.
08-28-2013, 04:47 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC (current) 2006 C280 Elegance 4MATIC (sold)
I like that Mercedes is finally offering more diesels for the North American market. My C280 is a bit thirsty and although the powertrain is silky smooth it's not powerful enough to make the current fuel economy acceptable. At least by the time I'm ready for a CDI Benz they will have been out in this market for a few years so I'll get to see just how well received they are and how well they will potentially hold up.
08-28-2013, 09:46 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2014 E550 4Matic with P1/LED/Pano
If they'd bring an E250 Estate, I'd be all over a Sport version with Chestnut Brown leather. Would make for a perfect commute and would keep me from buying another SUV as a third vehicle.
